Get ready for a day where imagination takes center stage, laughter echoes through the theater and families create lifelong memories together at Playhouse Square's annual Family Theater Day on Saturday, May 3. This community event is a celebration designed to spark joy and wonder for children of all ages – from adventuring through space with Marvin the Mouse and learning about the importance of pa’akai in Hawaiian culture to witnessing jaw-dropping illusions from Bill Blagg.
In addition to the ticketed theater performances, which are generously supported by Kathy & Jim Pender and The Michael Pender Fund, there are a variety of free activities for attendees to enjoy. This includes dance and musical story creation workshops, crafts, face painting, caricature and balloon artists, fun stations and play sessions with the Children’s Museum of Cleveland and special appearances by local musicians, puppeteers and Dino-ROAR.
Tickets for Family Theater Day performances can be purchased online at playhousesquare.org/familytheaterday or by phone at 216-241-6000. Free activities do not require a ticket.
2025 Family Theater Day Performances
Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey
Produced by: Lightwire Theater
Performance times: 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Mimi Ohio Theatre
Marvin the Mouse wants to be popular. Constantly bullied and picked on by the "cool" rats, he is labeled as a loser and a geek. As respite from the continuous badgering, Marvin retreats into his science books and a world of fantasy. He longs to have adventures and be the hero. Join Marvin on the space adventure of a lifetime: a trip to the surface of the moon on his homemade rocket where he meets a strange cast of misfit creatures, learns of infinite peril, and views awesome beauty. Will Marvin make his dreams come true and experience the glory and acceptance he craves? Lightwire Theater is proud to present Moon Mouse, a cosmic adventure about celebrating differences.
The Pa’akai We Bring
Produced by: Honolulu Theatre for Youth
Performance times: 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Westfield Studio Theatre
This original production introduces audiences to the Native Hawaiian relationships with pa'akai (salt). Traditionally, pa'akai is food, medicine, a sacrament and a treasured gift. The play follows a family with multiple generations of salt farmers on Kauai, mixing in ancient stories, hula, live music, original songs and plenty of audience participation into a tasty potluck of performance, joyously served up with aloha.
The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE!
Produced by: Mobb Productions
Performance times: 12:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m., KeyBank State Theatre
Blagg’s show combines his mind-blowing magical talents along with his trademark off-the-cuff personality to take you on a magical journey you’ll never forget! You’ll witness objects float in mid-air, vanish in the blink of an eye and so much more! The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE! is more than a magic show, it’s an interactive magic experience! Critics and audiences alike rave about Bill’s jaw-dropping illusions that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief.
A sign language interpreter will be at the 11 a.m. performance of The Pa’akai We Bring, as well as the 12:30 p.m. performance of The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE!
Family Theater Day at Playhouse Square is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
The Ohio Arts Council helped fund Family Theater Day at Playhouse Square with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.